33 U.S. Code § 701n - Emergency response to natural disasters

(1)There is authorized an emergency fund to be expended in preparation for emergency response to any natural disaster, in flood fighting and rescue operations, or in the repair or restoration of any flood control work threatened or destroyed by flood, including the strengthening, raising, extending, or other modification thereof as may be necessary in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers for the adequate functioning of the work for flood control and subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include modifications to the structure or project, or in implementation of nonstructural alternatives to the repair or restoration of such flood control work if requested by the non-Federal sponsor; in the emergency protection of federally authorized hurricane or shore protection being threatened when in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers such protection is warranted to protect against imminent and substantial loss to life and property; in the repair and restoration of any federally authorized hurricane or shore protective structure or project damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action of other than an ordinary nature to the design level of protection when, in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers, such repair and restoration is warranted for the adequate functioning of the structure or project for hurricane or shore protection, subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include modifications to the structure or project to address major deficiencies or implement nonstructural alternatives to the repair or restoration of the structure if requested by the non-Federal sponsor. The emergency fund may also be expended for emergency dredging for restoration of authorized project depths for Federal navigable channels and waterways made necessary by flood, drought, earthquake, or other natural disasters. In any case in which the Chief of Engineers is otherwise performing work under this section in an area for which the Governor of the affected State has requested a determination that an emergency exists or a declaration that a major disaster exists under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.], the Chief of Engineers is further authorized to perform on public and private lands and waters for a period of ten days following the Governor’s request any emergency work made necessary by such emergency or disaster which is essential for the preservation of life and property, including, but not limited to, channel clearance, emergency shore protection, clearance and removal of debris and wreckage endangering public health and safety, and temporary restoration of essential public facilities and services. The Chief of Engineers, in the exercise of his discretion, is further authorized to provide emergency supplies of clean water, on such terms as he determines to be advisable, to any locality which he finds is confronted with a source of contaminated water causing or likely to cause a substantial threat to the public health and welfare of the inhabitants of the locality. The appropriation of such moneys for the initial establishment of this fund and for its replenishment on an annual basis, is authorized: Provided, That pending the appropriation of sums to such emergency fund, the Secretary of the Army may allot, from existing flood-control appropriations, such sums as may be necessary for the immediate prosecution of the work herein authorized, such appropriations to be reimbursed from the appropriation herein authorized when made. The Chief of Engineers is authorized, in the prosecution of work in connection with rescue operations, or in conducting other flood emergency work, to acquire on a rental basis such motor vehicles, including passenger cars and buses, as in his discretion are deemed necessary.

(2)In preparing a cost and benefit feasibility assessment for any emergency project described in paragraph (1), the Chief of Engineers shall consider the benefits to be gained by such project for the protection of—

(A)residential establishments;

(B)commercial establishments, including the protection of inventory; and

(C)agricultural establishments, including the protection of crops.

(b) Emergency supplies of drinking water; drought; well construction and water transportation

(1)The Secretary, upon a written request for assistance under this paragraph made by any farmer, rancher, or political subdivision within a distressed area, and after a determination by the Secretary that

(A) as a result of the drought such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision has an inadequate supply of water,

(B) an adequate supply of water can be made available to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision through the construction of a well, and

(C) as a result of the drought such well could not be constructed by a private business, the Secretary, subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, may enter into an agreement with such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for the construction of such well.

(2)The Secretary, upon a written request for assistance under this paragraph made by any farmer, rancher, or political subdivision within a distressed area, and after a determination by the Secretary that as a result of the drought such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision has an inadequate supply of water and water cannot be obtained by such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision, the Secretary may transport water to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision by methods which include, but are not limited to, small-diameter emergency water lines and tank trucks, until such time as the Secretary determines that an adequate supply of water is available to such farmer, rancher, or political subdivision.

(3)

(A)Any agreement entered into by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall require the farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for whom the well is constructed to pay to the United States the reasonable cost of such construction, with interest, over such number of years, not to exceed thirty, as the Secretary deems appropriate. The rate of interest shall be that rate which the Secretary determines would apply if the amount to be repaid was a loan made pursuant to section
636(b)(2) of title
15.

(B)The Secretary shall not construct any well pursuant to this subsection unless the farmer, rancher, or political subdivision for whom the well is being constructed has obtained, prior to construction, all necessary State and local permits.

(4)The Federal share for the transportation of water pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be 100 per centum.

(5)For purposes of this subsection—

(A)the term “construction” includes construction, reconstruction, or repair;

(B)the term “distressed area” means an area which the Secretary determines due to drought conditions has an inadequate water supply which is causing, or is likely to cause, a substantial threat to the health and welfare of the inhabitants of the area including threat of damage or loss of property;

(C)the term “political subdivision” means a city, town, borough, county, parish, district, association, or other public body created by or pursuant to State law and having jurisdiction over the water supply of such public body;

(D)the term “reasonable cost” means the lesser of

(i) the cost to the Secretary of constructing a well pursuant to this subsection exclusive of the cost of transporting equipment used in the construction of wells, or

(ii) the cost to a private business of constructing such well;

(E)the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers; and

(F)the term “State” means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

(c) Levee owners manual

(1) In general

Not later than 1 year after October 12, 1996, in accordance with chapter
5 of title
5, the Secretary of the Army shall prepare a manual describing the maintenance and upkeep responsibilities that the Corps of Engineers requires of a non-Federal interest in order for the non-Federal interest to receive Federal assistance under this section. The Secretary shall provide a copy of the manual at no cost to each non-Federal interest that is eligible to receive Federal assistance under this section.

(2) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this subsection.

(3) Definitions

In this subsection, the following definitions apply:

(A) Maintenance and upkeep

The term “maintenance and upkeep” means all maintenance and general upkeep of a levee performed on a regular and consistent basis that is not repair and rehabilitation.

(B) Repair and rehabilitation

The term “repair and rehabilitation”—

(i)means the repair or rebuilding of a levee or other flood control structure, after the structure has been damaged by a flood, to the level of protection provided by the structure before the flood; but

(ii)does not include—

(I)any improvement to the structure; or

(II)repair or rebuilding described in clause (i) if, in the normal course of usage, the structure becomes structurally unsound and is no longer fit to provide the level of protection for which the structure was designed.

The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as amended, known as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§ 5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
5121 of Title
42 and Tables.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 113–121inserted “and subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include modifications to the structure or project” after “work for flood control” and substituted “structure or project damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action of other than an ordinary nature to the design level of protection when, in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers, such repair and restoration is warranted for the adequate functioning of the structure or project for hurricane or shore protection, subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include modifications to the structure or project to address major deficiencies or implement nonstructural alternatives to the repair or restoration of the structure if requested by the non-Federal sponsor” for “structure damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action of other than an ordinary nature when in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers such repair and restoration is warranted for the adequate functioning of the structure for hurricane or shore protection”.

1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–303, § 202(e), in first sentence, inserted “, or in implementation of nonstructural alternatives to the repair or restoration of such flood control work if requested by the non-Federal sponsor”.

1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–640substituted “preparation for emergency response to any natural disaster” for “flood emergency preparation” and inserted provision permitting the emergency fund to be used for emergency dredging for restoration of authorized depths for Federal navigable channels and waterways made necessary by flood, drought, earthquake, or other natural disasters.

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–662inserted provision relating to authority of the Chief of Engineers, when the Governor of an affected State requests a determination that an emergency or major disaster exists, to perform on public and private lands and waters, for a period of ten days following the Governor’s request, any emergency work made necessary by such emergency or disaster which is essential for the preservation of life and property, and substituted “clean water” for “clean drinking water” and “contaminated water” for “contaminated drinking water”.

1974—Pub. L. 93–251struck out limitation of emergency fund to $15,000,000, provided for emergency supplies of clean drinking water to localities confronted with source of contaminated drinking water, and substituted in proviso “of sums to such emergency fund” for “of said sum”.

1962—Pub. L. 87–874authorized expenditures from the emergency fund for the protection of federally authorized hurricane or shore protection being threatened when such is warranted to protect against imminent and substantial loss to life and property, and for the repair and restoration of any such federally authorized hurricane or shore protective structure damaged or destroyed by wind or water action of an extraordinary nature when such is warranted for the adequate functioning of the structure for hurricane or shore protection.

1955—Act June 28, 1955, authorized expenditure for flood emergency preparation and eliminated the requirement of maintenance of flood control works threatened by flood.

1950—Act May 17, 1950, expanded scope of work considered under emergency repairs to flood-control structures, and substituted “$15,000,000” for “$2,000,000”.

1948—Act June 30, 1948, inserted provisions relating to the strengthening, extending, or modification of flood-control works.

1946—Act July 24, 1946, substituted “$2,000,000” for “$1,000,000”.

Change of Name

Department of War designated Department of the Army and title of Secretary of War changed to Secretary of the Army by section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, ch. 343, title II, 61 Stat. 501. Section 205(a) of act July 26, 1947, was repealed by section 53 of act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 641. Section 1 of act Aug. 10, 1956, enacted “Title 10, Armed Forces” which in sections
3010 to
3013 continued Department of the Army under administrative supervision of Secretary of the Army.

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section
1681 of Title
48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Systemwide Improvement Framework

Pub. L. 113–121, title III, § 3011,June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1284, provided that: “A levee system shall remain eligible for rehabilitation assistance under the authority provided by section 5 of the Act of August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C. 701n) as long as the levee system sponsor continues to make satisfactory progress, as determined by the Secretary [of the Army], on an approved systemwide improvement framework or letter of intent.”

“(b) Review.—The Secretary [of the Army] shall carry out a comprehensive review of the guidelines in order to determine whether current Federal policy relating to levee vegetation is appropriate for all regions of the United States.

“(c) Factors.—

“(1) In general.—In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall consider—

“(A) the varied interests and responsibilities in managing flood risks, including the need—

“(i) to provide the greatest benefits for public safety with limited resources; and

“(B) the levee safety benefits that can be provided by woody vegetation;

“(C) the preservation, protection, and enhancement of natural resources, including—

“(i) the benefit of vegetation on levees in providing habitat for species of concern, including endangered, threatened, and candidate species; and

“(ii) the impact of removing levee vegetation on compliance with other regulatory requirements;

“(D) protecting the rights of Indian tribes pursuant to treaties and statutes;

“(E) determining how vegetation impacts the performance of a levee or levee system during a storm or flood event;

“(F) the available science and the historical record regarding the link between vegetation on levees and flood risk;

“(G) the avoidance of actions requiring significant economic costs and environmental impacts; and

“(H) other factors relating to the factors described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) identified in public comments that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

“(2) Variance considerations.—

“(A) In general.—In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall specifically consider factors that promote and allow for consideration of variances from guidelines on a Statewide, tribal, regional, or watershed basis, including variances based on—

“(i) regional or watershed soil conditions;

“(ii) hydrologic factors;

“(iii) vegetation patterns and characteristics;

“(iv) environmental resources, including endangered, threatened, or candidate species and related regulatory requirements;

“(v) levee performance history, including historical information on original construction and subsequent operation and maintenance activities;

“(vi) any effects on water supply;

“(vii) any scientific evidence on the link between levee vegetation and levee safety;

“(viii) institutional considerations, including implementation challenges and conflicts with or violations of Federal or State environmental laws;

“(ix) the availability of limited funds for levee construction and rehabilitation;

“(x) the economic and environmental costs of removing woody vegetation on levees; and

“(xi) other relevant factors identified in public comments that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

“(B) Scope.—The scope of a variance approved by the Secretary may include a complete exemption to guidelines, if appropriate.

“(d) Cooperation and Consultation; Recommendations.—

“(1) In general.—The Secretary shall carry out the review under this section in consultation with other applicable Federal agencies, representatives of State, regional, local, and tribal governments, appropriate nongovernmental organizations, and the public.

“(2) Recommendations.—

“(A) Regional integration teams.—Corps of Engineers Regional Integration Teams, representing districts, divisions, and headquarters, in consultation with State and Federal resource agencies, and with participation by local agencies, shall submit to the Secretary any recommendations for vegetation management policies for levees that conform with Federal and State laws and other applicable requirements, including recommendations relating to the review of guidelines under subsection (b) and the consideration of variances under subsection (c)(2).

“(B) State, tribal, regional, and local entities.—The Secretary shall consider and accept recommendations from any State, tribal, regional, or local entity for vegetation management policies for levees that conform with Federal and State laws and other applicable requirements, including recommendations relating to the review of guidelines under subsection (b) and the consideration of variances under subsection (c)(2).

“(e) Independent Consultation.—

“(1) In general.—As part of the review, the Secretary shall solicit and consider the views of independent experts on the engineering, environmental, and institutional considerations underlying the guidelines, including the factors described in subsection (c) and any information obtained by the Secretary under subsection (d).

“(I) are consistent with the guidelines; and
“(II) have been adopted through a formal public process; and

“(B) be incorporated into the manual proposed under section 5(c) of the Act of August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C. 701n(c)).

“(3) Failure to meet deadlines.—If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed explanation of—

“(A) why the deadline was missed;

“(B) solutions needed to meet the deadline; and

“(C) a projected date for submission of the report.

“(g) Interim Actions.—

“(1) In general.—Until the date on which revisions to the guidelines are adopted in accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall not require the removal of existing vegetation as a condition or requirement for any approval or funding of a project, or any other action, unless the specific vegetation has been demonstrated to present an unacceptable safety risk.

“(2) Revisions.—Beginning on the date on which the revisions to the guidelines are adopted in accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall reconsider, on request of an affected entity, any previous action of the Corps of Engineers in which the outcome was affected by the former guidelines.”

“(1) Review.—The Secretary shall undertake a comprehensive review of the current policy guidelines on vegetation management for levees. The review shall examine current policies in view of the varied interests in providing flood control, preserving, protecting, and enhancing natural resources, protecting the rights of Native Americans pursuant to treaty and statute, and such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.

“(2) Cooperation and consultation.—The review under this section [subsection] shall be undertaken in cooperation with interested Federal agencies and in consultation with interested representatives of State and local governments and the public.

“(3) Revision of guidelines.—Based upon the results of the review, the Secretary shall revise, not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 12, 1996], the policy guidelines so as to provide a coherent and coordinated policy for vegetation management for levees. Such revised guidelines shall address regional variations in levee management and resource needs and shall be incorporated in the manual proposed under section 5(c) of such Act of August 18, 1941 (33 U.S.C. 701n[(c)]).”